Premier Ford not worried about Volkswagen battery plant delay

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed no concern over a two-year setback in the commencement of a substantial Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plant situated in southwestern Ontario. The $7-billion factory, located in St. Thomas, Ontario, faces a delay partly because of a decline in market demand for electric vehicles, according to Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCo Canada.

Premier Ford remains confident that the project, deemed Canada's largest electric vehicle battery plant, will be finished and operational within a few years. He assures the province that PowerCo has committed to proceeding with the endeavor. PowerCo has also appointed EllisDon as the general contractor for the upcoming construction phase.

The plant, initially announced in 2023, received $700 million in upfront federal funding and $500 million from Ontario.